AIT Campus Bulletin

1. Vice President 1 responsible for academic, research and outreach functions.  This VP will be selected from within AIT, ensuring continuity and deep knowledge of our academic ecosystem.
2. Vice President 2 responsible for administration and development functions.  For this VP, we will conduct a broader search, considering candidates both from within AIT and externally.

In addition, I will introduce a performance management system for the Vice Presidents, with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability and alignment with our strategic goals.

I will request the Office of Human Resources Services (OHRS) to issue an official call for applications and nominations for both positions.  Following this, I will appoint selection committees and personally chair the proceedings.  I aim to complete the selection process promptly, with the goal of presenting the recommended candidates for approval at the Board of Trustees meeting on 6 February 2025.

Thank you for your attention and support as we move forward with these important steps.

Dear Faculty and Staff members, 

Since confirming to join AIT, I have had the opportunity to meet many of you and attend key meetings, including the Executive Committee meeting on 12 July 2024, the AIT Management Team Meeting on 21 August 2024, and the Board of Trustees meeting on 22 August 2024.  After I formally joined on 1 September 2024, I also participated in the Working Retreat on the Blueprint for the Future Direction of AIT from 6 to 8 September 2024, which gave me valuable insights into the perspectives of the Board, Executive Committee, Faculty and Staff.  There is a clear consensus that AIT needs to transform, as outlined in the Blueprint and mentioned in many other occasions.  It is time to define actionable steps for implementation, taking into consideration stakeholder input and necessary adjustments. 

In light of this, I plan to establish the following two Task Forces to get the work started.  The Task Forces are ad hoc and will work primarily on Blueprint related issues, while the newly formed AIT Strategy Team and the AIT Management Team will be standing for deploying strategies and managing regular affairs of the Institute.

1.     Academic, Research and Outreach Task Force

This Task Force will address a range of key issues, including but not limited to:

o   Academic mapping

o   Formation of research clusters

o   Revisiting the roles of research centers and promoting synergy among them

I proposed appointing the following for this Task Force:

o   Professor Manukid Parnichkun, Professor, Industrial System Engineering, SET (Chair of the Task Force)

o   Professor Rajendra Shrestha, Professor, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, SERD

o   Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director, AIT Extension

2.     Administrative / Academic Governance Task Force

Reforms in Administrative / Academic Governance were a focal point of discussion during the retreat, and have also been highlighted by the Board Faculty and Staff Relations Committees. 

I proposed appointing the following for this Task Force:

o   Professor Shobhakar Dhakal, Professor, Energy and Climate Change, SERD (Chair of the Task Force)

o   Professor Yuosre Badir, Professor and Acting Dean, SOM

o   Dr Ekbordin Winijkul, Associate Professor and Head, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, SET

The TF Chairs together with the initial members mentioned above are requested to form their respective teams, ensuring appropriate representation, and to draw from discussions at the retreat and other forums.  I would appreciate receiving the proposed composition and terms of reference of each Task Force, before they proceed, by 25 October 2024.  The Task Forces are expected to develop short-, medium- and long-term recommendations for the Institute’s transformation. 

The Advisor of the Blueprint Task Force Professor Deepak Sharma, Acting VPAA Professor Nitin Tripathi, and VPA Mr. Russell Rein will provide the needed support.  I will participate in these efforts where appropriate and coordinate with the Chairman of the Taskforce on Blueprint, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. 

Additionally, Dr. Namita Sravat and Mrs. Izel Ann Mojado-Dante will serve as the Secretaries of the Academic, Research and Outreach, and Administrative / Academic Governance Task Forces, respectively, with Mr. Karma Rana providing additional support as needed.

I am aware that resource mobilization is a top priority, and I have started the work in this area.  We must work collectively and innovatively to secure the resources needed for our shared future. 

Thank you for your commitment and cooperation.